Bruce Cole

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Bruce Cole

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Adams City High School

Bachelor's

Regis University, 1990

Other

Liberty University, 2021

Graduate

Grand Canyon University, 2009

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army Reserve

Years of service

1981 - 1987

Personal

Religion

Assemblies of God

Profession

Educator and business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Bruce Cole ran for election for an at-large seat of the Colorado Springs School District 11 school board. He lost in the general election on November 4, 2025.

Cole completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Bruce Cole served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1981 to 1987. He earned a high school diploma from Adams City High School, a bachelor's degree from Regis University in 1990, a graduate degree from Grand Canyon University in 2009, and further education from Liberty University in 2021. His career experience includes working as an educator and business owner. He has also served as a pastor and nonprofit executive director.

Elections

2025

See also: Colorado Springs School District 11, Colorado, elections (2025)

General election

General election for Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michelle Ruehl (Nonpartisan)	17.8	27,737
✔		LeAnn Baca Bartlett (Nonpartisan)	17.4	27,242
✔		Charles Johnson (Nonpartisan)	15.5	24,196
		Michael Carsten (Nonpartisan)	15.4	24,135
		Jeremiah Johnson (Nonpartisan)	15.4	24,102
		Bruce Cole (Nonpartisan)	14.6	22,831
		John Gustafson (Nonpartisan)	3.8	5,992

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 156,235
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Cole in this election.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Bruce Cole completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cole's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I come from a blue-collar family devoted to church and community. I was the first in my family to graduate college, earning a Business Administration degree from Regis University. I’ve worked as a pastor, served in the US Army Reserves, been a college instructor, a nonprofit executive, and most recently, a high school business teacher in D11. My wife Marcia, a retired elementary music teacher, and I have four children and ten grandchildren—including two proud Doherty graduates. When I’m not teaching or volunteering, you’ll find me camping, boating, gardening, or nervously cheering on the Denver Broncos.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Academic Achievement After nearly 20 years in the classroom, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t when it comes to teaching. I will advocate for time-tested, effective curriculum and instruction so that every student and teacher is set up for success.
• Budget & Infrastructure As a former non-profit executive and business owner, I understand how crucial it is that D11’s half-a-billion dollar, taxpayer funded budget is allocated with wisdom and integrity. Every dollar we spend should be able to answer the question, “how does this improve student success?”
• Character & Respect In every part of our district, from the classroom to the boardroom, we must respect teachers as professionals, respect parents as the authority in their child’s life, and respect students as scholars – setting high standards and helping students rise to meet them.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

School Choice, Parent's rights, Academic Improvement

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I have been working since I was 14. My dad instilled a work ethic in me that has continued my whole life. I had a newspaper route when I was 12. I remember loading up the Schwinn bicycle with the big canvas bags and riding every afternoon. When I was 14 I worked at a local drive through cooking fries. As an adult, if I was between jobs I would put an ad in the newspaper to do handyman jobs. I have always believed that I am not entitled to anything that I haven't earned. I work hard and commit to continue working hard on the school board.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

School board members must set the direction of the district. They must hire and evaluate the Executive how is charged with carrying out the goals of the board.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Congressman Jeff Crank

John Suthers
Rebecca Kelty

Bill Cadman

What are your preferred strategies for faculty, staff, and administration recruitment?

Teaching is one of the hardest professions. In order to attract and retain well-qualified teachers we must be sure that compensation, including benefits, provides for the needs of teachers. Incentives for teachers in specialized areas should be made available. Barriers to effective teaching such as student discipline, and inadequate planning time should be consistently enforced. Teachers must feel valued and appreciated.

Are there any areas of school curriculum you would like to see changed?

I think we need a return to tried and true curriculum and pedagogical practices. Emphasis must be placed on k-3 reading improvement. Older students should be reading materials that enhance learning, teach traditional values, and demonstrate the positive angels of our culture

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2025 Elections

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Government

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Newsletters

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External links

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Candidate

Colorado Springs School District 11 Board of Education At-large

Website